CORPUS CHRISTI (KIIINEWS) - According to the latest employment statistics for December 2017 released by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Coastal Bend region’s remained unchanged at 5.3%, while dropping 1.3% from this time last year and employing 5.400 more workers. The Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) unemployment rate decreased 0.1% to 5.2% unemployment rate. Seven of the 11 Coastal Bend counties experienced increases over the month with Brooks and San Patricio counties remaining unchanged over the month. Ten of the 11 counties decreased year-over-year with Aransas County 1.4% higher. This can largely be attributed to the lingering economic impact of Hurricane Harvey.